Karnataka - Madikeri   

Is posting to Kodagu a `punishment'?

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI, OCT. 31. Kodagu district's natural landscape has come in for praise from all quarters. But, as far as Government officials are concerned it seems that a posting to this district is considered a "punishment transfer."

Does the monsoon in Kodagu amount to "punishment" to the officials? Some say yes. Many have opted out of Kodagu in the past, unable to cope with the rigours of monsoon. Either they have fended off rain by going on long leave or secured a transfer. The most "convincing" argument put forth by them is that they do no have official quarters, lack proper educational and medical facilities, among others.

Doctors

Many posts of doctors in almost all Government hospitals are vacant. Doctors posted to Kodagu either stay behind offering unconvincing reasons or get the transfer orders cancelled. The stipulation that doctors should serve mandatorily wherever they are posted, including rural areas, has had no effect in this district.

Many officials are posted to Kodagu at the fag end of their career. For instance, a Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) posted to Kodagu on December 6, 2003, retired on February 29, 2004. His predecessor was in office from October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003. Several other officials too have retired in Kodagu in a similar fashion. According to sources, many department heads posted to Kodagu come setting themselves a deadline to leave the place as early as possible. Some, who leave behind their families away, rejoin the families during weekends. Leaving on Friday and reaching here on Monday late afternoon, or even Tuesday, is a common practice among a few.

Additional charge

Entrusting additional charge of other departments to an officer has been a recurring phenomenon. A Sports Officer or a Chief Planning Officer has doubled up as Zilla Panchayat Council Secretary. A Social Welfare Officer has acted as an Integrated Tribal Development Programme officer or an Adult Education Officer. The present Chief Executive Officer holds additional charge of the Conservator of Forests. Another officer is an in-charge DDPI.

The nearly 30 per cent vacancy in the zilla panchayat continues for many years now.

The post of the Additional Superintendent of Police has been taken away, but Kodagu in police parlance is a "sensitive district." Many young IPS officers have been posted here as first-time Superintendents of Police after serving as ASP's in other districts.

Attachment

The "attachment" of Kodagu to the neighbouring districts continues. The offices of the Assistant Director of almost all Departments are located here, with a few headed by Deputy Directors and one by a Joint Director (Department of Agriculture). Higher officers are either in Bangalore, Hassan, Mysore, or Mangalore.

Disenchantment for Kodagu may hold good for certain government officials. There are also a few who find the climate salubrious, people charming and upright.

Kodagu's climate has indeed helped them overcome ailments, some claim.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

Is posting to Kodagu a `punishment'?
`Sankalp divas' observed in Madikeri

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu